How is a checker plate created in Advance Steel?

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Answer

In Advance Steel, special objects (e.g., checker plates) are created by modifying standard Advance Steel objects. Advance Steel has standard plate-flat sizes that can be modified by the user. There are two methods available for creating checker plates:

A. Mapping
The advantage of this solution is:
- The plate is handled like a plate; it is detailed like a plate and shown on the PLATE LISTS.

The disadvantage is:
- The mapping must be turned ON for all plates and may affect other plates.

B. Create a checker plate from an existing flat profile
The advantage of this solution is:
- Only the defined checker plates are used.

The disadvantage is:
- The plate is handled like a beam; it is detailed like a beam and shown on the BEAM LISTS.

Step 1 - Management Tools

- Start the Management Tools by selecting MANAGEMENT TOOLS on the start menu of Advance Steel.
- Start the 'TABLE EDITOR' application.
- Select "Open database (ODBC)".

The following will appear:

- Open the AstorProfiles.
- Open the table "EXT_AISC_FLAT".
- Select the last line.

- Enter your plates (e.g., create a checker plate of 1/4" thickness and 38" width).
- In the StandardName field, enter the name of the checker plate (e.g., ChecherPlate1/4X38").
- In the SectionName field, enter a name that does not already exist in this list and it must begin with "Flat" (e.g., Flat 1).
- In the STANDARDS, SYSTEM, and RESERVED fields, enter the same values as in the row above.
- In the "h" field, enter the equivalent in metric for the imperial plate width (e.g., 38"x25.4=965.2).
- In the "b" field, enter the equivalent in metric for the imperial plate thickness (e.g., 1/4"x25.4=6.35).

- Repeat this process for every plate size.

Step 2 - Advance Steel Modeling

- Insert a FLAT PROFILE and select the new "CheckerPlate 1 / 4 x 38" entry.

From now on, whenever you create a checker plate, Advance Steel is going to recognize the part and detail it using the given name.